World Music CD Reviews Europe

It’s hard not to fall in love with the music of Boom Pam. A rock band from Tel Aviv that names its second album Puerto Rican Nights? The goofball title is just the tip of the iceberg. This is a Balkan surf rock band with tuba instead of bass. Here the band tweaks it all once again, taking 10 covers from its live sets and serves them up with an agenda no bigger than fun. Highlights include a serious send up of “Marylyn Jones,” featuring Dror Romem (one of four guest vocalists here), and the galloping version of the Greek pop song “Boom Pam,” which is the band’s theme song (more bands should have theme songs!). There are traditional Balkan tunes like “Ushest” and “Krai Dunavsko” as well as a traditional Turkish tune “Longa Sultaniyegah.” Things are rounded out by a version of Dudaim’s “Shayeret Harohvim,” featuring Maor Cohen, and two versions (instrumental and vocal) of “Ay Carmelo.” All in all, serious good fun.